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Top-Five Moments of the St. Louis Blues/Chicago Blackhawks Rivalry

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On Wednesday, the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks meet for the first time this season. The rivalry that ignited during the late 1980s will be renewed. While the teams are in different places in terms of contending, Blues/Blackhawks games are always must-watch.

In honour of a rivalry renewed, we are going to take a look at the top five moments in the rivalry’s history.

Top-Five Moments of the Blues/Blackhawks Rivalry

#5 The Winter Classic

The Blues and Blackhawks have taken the rivalry outside on two occasions. The first came in 2017 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The game was a classic matchup between the Blues and the Hawks. Close, hard-hitting, and both goaltenders were brick walls. However, Blues’ star Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice in the third period to break a 1-1 tie. The Blues won, 4-1, in their first-ever Winter Classic.

The teams met again on New Year’s Eve 2024. This time, the Blackhawks hosted the game at Wrigley Field. The game was symbolic of the next chapter in the rivalry’s history. However, unlike 2017, this game would not be close. The Blues scored two early goals and broke the game open in the second period. Defenceman Cam Fowler, playing in his 1,000th career game, scored two goals for the Blues. Furthermore, Fowler became the first player to play their 1,000th game in an outdoor game.

The Blues are a perfect 3-0 in the Winter Classic. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, have yet to win despite playing in five Winter Classic games.

#4 Triple-Overtime Hero

The Blues and Blackhawks met in the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Blackhawks were the defending Stanley Cup Champions. The Blues were limping into the playoffs following a six-game losing streak that saw them lose the Central Division.

Game 1 would become an immediate classic. The Hawks led 3-2 after the first period, as neither goalie was able to settle in early. However, both Ryan Miller and Corey Crawford would settle in, keeping both teams off the scoreboard as the game approached the final minutes of the third period. The Blues would get the equalizer when Derek Roy forced a turnover behind the Chicago net and fed the puck to Jaden Schwartz, who scored to tie the game.

One overtime would not be enough. Two overtimes would not be enough. The game would require a third overtime period. However, it did not take long for that period to start. Alexander Steen scored 26 seconds into triple overtime to give the Blues the thrilling win.

While the Blues secured the victory in Game 1 and repeated it in Game 2, the Blackhawks ultimately won the series, thereby continuing their dominance and prolonging the Blues’ playoff frustrations.

#3 St. Patrick’s Day Massacre

What is a rivalry with some fisticuffs? Well, this rivalry had it during a 1991 game. The Blackhawks won the game, 6-4, but the score was an afterthought.

In what has become known as the “St. Patrick’s Day Massacre,” a brawl ensued after Glen Featherstone shoved Jeremy Roenick after a brutal hit on Harold Snepsts. Keith Brown would get involved, shoving Featherstone, causing more players to join the brawl. Once the referees had restored order, six players on each team would be ejected from the game. Furthermore, a total of 278 penalty minutes were issued just from the brawl.

Disciplinary action did not end there, however. The NHL would suspend Scott Stevens for two games. Additionally, Mike Peluso and Kelly Chase would be suspended for ten games and fined $10,000 each.

Perhaps the defining moment in that 1990–91 season came in a brawl during the Blackhawks’ 6–4 win over the Blues on March 17, 1991.  The game became known as the “St. Patrick’s Day Massacre” for the massive amount of fighting and penalties handed out to both teams. In the game, the two teams got into a brawl after Glen Featherstone shoved Jeremy Roenick after his brutal hit on Harold Snepsts. Keith Brown shoved Featherstone, beginning a brawl. Twelve players, six on each team, were ejected, while there was a total of 278 penalty minutes. After reviewing the tapes, the NHL suspended Blues defenseman Scott Stevens for two games and fined Hawks Mike Peluso and Blues Kelly Chase each $10,000.

#2 1993 Playoffs

The Blues and Blackhawks met in the 1993 North Division semifinal. The Backhawks had won the North Division and were the top seed in the Campbell Conference. Furthermore, the Blues had the lowest point total of any of the 1993 playoff teams.

Not only did the Blues upset the Blackhawks, but they did so via a sweep. The series would be notable for Craig Janney‘s series-winning overtime goal in Game 4. Blackhawks’ goalie Ed Belfour felt forward Brett Hull had interfered with him before the goal and that the goal should have been waved off. Belfour angrily slammed his stick against the goalpost before leaving the ice. Belfour’s anger did not stop there. Inside the visiting locker room, Belfour caused thousands of dollars of damage by destroying a coffeemaker, a hot tub, and a television.

#1 Former Hawk Ends Title Defence

Just like in 2014, the Blues and Blackhawks met in the first round of the playoffs. Just like in 2014, the Blackhawks were the defending champions. Through the first four games of the series, it appeared things would be different. The Blues won three of the first four games, including two victories in Chicago. However, the Blackhawks would not go away quietly, winning Games 5 and 6 to force a Game 7 in St. Louis. After two periods, the score was tied 2-2.

Troy Brouwer, who had been part of the Hawks’ 2010 Stanley Cup-winning team and who the Blues had acquired the previous summer, would have a moment against his old team. After a shot by Robby Fabbri went off the post, Brouwer went for the rebound but whiffed on the shot. However, playing against his old team in a winner-take-all game, Brouwer would not miss the second chance. His goal gave the Blues a 3-2 lead, which they would hang on to. The Blues would eliminate their rivals, the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Furthermore, the Blues would reach the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2001.

Rivalry Renews

While these moments favored the Blues, the Blackhawks have had their fair share of moments during this rivalry as well. From 2010 to 2015, the Blackhawks won three Stanley Cups, while the Blues only made it out of the first round once. In 2006, the Blues opted to select Erik Johnson with the first-overall pick instead of Jonathan Toews. Toews would go to Chicago, being their captain for all three championships, while the Blues would trade Johnson in 2011. 

However, this is the past. The next chapter begins Wednesday night. What will the next chapter entail? We will have to wait and find out. 

Main Photo: Daniel Bartel- Imagn Images

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